Apocalyptic Visions: Literal, Metaphoric, Transformative - Submissions due 5/2/2012
The Journal of South Texas English Studies is now welcoming submissions for its spring 2012 issue, themed "Apocalyptic Visions: Literal, Metaphoric, Transformative." Submissions: May 2, 2012.
Apocalyptic prophecies, visions of destruction and fantasies of the "end times," and futurist narratives have a long history. Whether it is ideas of apocalypse, millennial social movements, the end of days predicted in the book of Revelations, Y2K, or Mayan predictions of the end of the world in 2012, the trope of "end days" is a persistent and recurrent fascination in world culture. Ubiquitous representations of "the end" present what are sometimes vast differences among these ideas in terms of what happens in the aftermath. The predictions and expectations of a cataclysmic finality to existence and the material world is a predominant theme. How should we view these apocalyptic visions? Are they to be read literally as the actual end of the world? Are they to be read as metaphoric, meant to imply and symbolize revelation for our world? Are they to be read as opportunities meant to offer change and redemption for our world? For that matter, how might the concept of "the world" be viewed: our actual planet earth, the societies in which we live, the different communities we inhabit, material, theoretical, virtual, social, literary? How does technology impact our concept of both "the world" and the "end of the world"? How do all these concepts affect the teaching of English studies in an increasingly fragmented, virtual, global, and "headed for the end" world?
The JOSTES editors are looking for scholarly articles between 5,000 and 8,000 words that address the theme of "end times" in literature, rhetoric, and pedagogy in English Studies, interpreted narrowly or broadly, figuratively or literally. Articles may address topics in English, American or other Literature written in English, Rhetoric and Composition, Literary Theory, and Pedagogy. All submissions, including creative writing and book reviews, must be original work and not be under consideration elsewhere.
Scholarly papers should adhere to the citations style in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition. If notes are needed, they should follow the paper in endnote form. Do not use Microsoft's automatic endnote feature – please see submission guidelines. A Works Cited page should be last. Because the papers are blind, peer-reviewed, include a cover letter with the title of paper and your name. Do not put your name on the actual paper; rather, include the title of your paper in the footer in place of your last name. Please format your paper with 1-inch margins on all sides, double spacing, and 12-point, Times New Roman font. Please attach submissions as a single Microsoft Word or RTF document and e-mail it to email@example.com with the subject line "article."
We have revised our submission guidelines; please consult those guidelines here: https://docs.google.com/View?id=ddvqr7zk_283c8ngqp.
Any work not conforming to the submission guidelines will not be considered for publication.
The journal also accepts a small number of poetry and creative prose submissions. Although all creative submissions will be considered, preference will be given to those related to the theme of this issue. Poets can submit more than one poem, but the total length of all poems together cannot exceed 100 lines. Short fiction can be up to 1,500 words, flash fiction up to 800 words, and creative non-fiction up to 2,000 words. We only accept creative work in English; any words in a foreign language must be translated in a note at end of creative work. Please attach submissions as a single Microsoft Word or RTF document and e-mail it to firstname.lastname@example.org with the subject line "creative submission."
We also accept book reviews of scholarly, non-fiction, and fiction up to 500 words. Preference will be given to book reviews of works that are related to the current issue's theme, but we will consider other book reviews as well. Please attach submissions as a single Microsoft Word or RTF document and e-mail it to email@example.com with the subject line "book review."
Deadline for submissions is May 2, 2012. For additional information, including submission guidelines, please visit the journal's website at: http://www.southtexasenglish.blogspot.com/